A. geniculata Sling not eating

[mct2284]

I have had an A. geniculata sling for about a month now. It’s between 3/4 to 1inch and it hasn’t eaten in almost one week. When I first got it it was eating every other day and now no interest at all. It burrowed itself two days ago so I’m thinking premolt but I’m not sure how to tell if it’s premolt or if there is a problem. Also it has a water dish but obviously isn’t drinking from it since it’s sealed itself off. The substrate is damp but should I worry about it not drinking or eating.
Photo is a couple of days before it quit eating.

 

[49ers]

She's well feed, probably premolt, no need to worry

 

[Stormsinger]

It's likely in premolt. As long as it has access to water (both the dish and damp sub) it should be fine. You may want to alter your feeding schedule, A. geniculata like to eat but every other day is a bit much. Once or twice a week is generally recommended because if you feed them too often, they go into a really long premolt and get really boring really fast.

The other thing I will add is that your enclosure looks to be pretty large, you might want to consider downsizing after the sling molts. It's easier to keep track of small slings in smaller enclosures and larger enclosures can present a fall hazard.

 

[Nephrite]

It’ll be fine, just keep the water dish full and overflow it a bit and leave it alone.

It’s got a fat abdomen so, it not eating is not a problem.

Probably going to molt soon, these guys grow like weeds.

 

[EpicEpic]

A. genics love to eat!

They will only turn down a meal if In premolt generally, which yours definitely seems to be.

If that happens to NOT be the case. It is just full. Your feeding schedule is a bit much, not that it presents a problem. Either way it does not need to be presented food until a week after it molts!

 

[Chebe6886]

If you feed any spider every other day it will eventually turn down food wether in premolt or not.

 

[Colorado Ts]

I have had an A. geniculata sling for about a month now. It’s between 3/4 to 1inch and it hasn’t eaten in almost one week. When I first got it it was eating every other day and now no interest at all. It burrowed itself two days ago so I’m thinking premolt but I’m not sure how to tell if it’s premolt or if there is a problem. Also it has a water dish but obviously isn’t drinking from it since it’s sealed itself off. The substrate is damp but should I worry about it not drinking or eating.
Photo is a couple of days before it quit eating.

As has been previously stated...feeding every other day, I’d say is a lot more than any spider needs. Arachnids are not puppy dogs and kitty cats...in the wild a spider may only eat two or three times a month...

I would start by researching the “care and keeping of tarantulas“.

 

[cold blood]

Fat tarantulas, regardless of size, do not need food.

That t is spectacularly fat.

 

[EpicEpic]

Quick tip. The abdomen should be the same size of the carapace though plumper.

On this specimen the abdomen is 3x the size of the carapace.